Tug of War

In one of my favorite Indian myths the Gods and Demons take sides in a giant game of tug-of-war. They compete over who will win the prized treasure, the nectar of immortality buried deep under the ocean. They heave and ho pulling from opposite ends of a long cord which is none other than the body of a prodigious snake. Like most myths, the tale dramatizes our own internal struggle. It is a primal contest, suggesting the kind of tension each of us endures daily. We each have our own “gods and demons” who tug and pull, as we wrestle with difficult emotion, the experience of grief and loss, and the trials of self-esteem. In the myth, the push and pull of the cosmic serpent generates rough, churning waves. It is this way with any tug of war. Turbulence comes with struggle be it political, marital, physical, or emotional. Know that friction is a prerequisite for any growth, especially when it comes to uncovering the gems of spirit inside.

So get ready to re-enact the age-old tug of war. Bend your knees, ground your heels and with your best grasp on the situation, go through your push and your pull. Do this on the yoga mat– twisting, rocking, pulling and stretching your sinews. And along with the physical practice, you will inevitably experience some skirmish in your heart and mind. Don’t be discouraged, only remember that the ritual of the tug of war is necessary to uncover the riches buried deep inside of you.

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